Jimmy Butler has been one of the NBA’s premier postseason performers for the last few seasons. But we’re in the midst of yet another underwhelming regular-season campaign for Butler. We haven’t seen him on the court since he suffered a toe injury in December against Utah, but Butler has made it clear he won’t rush back to meet the NBA’s 65-game requirement for postseason awards consideration.
“What you think? You think I’m worried about some reward? The only reward I give a damn about is those banners over there. That’s all I told Spo [Erik Spoelstra], I told Pat [Riley]… I’m going to help us get that.”
Butler has been out since December 30 and is on the precipice of missing his fifth consecutive game when the Heat take on the Thunder. He previously missed four games with a calf strain, which has led to the Heat forward already missing 12 games this season. If he misses five more, he will be out of eligibility for regular-season awards.
Jimmy is averaging 21.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.5 assists this season, so he wasn’t necessarily on pace to make an All-NBA team this season. If the NBA made All-Playoff teams, Butler likely would have featured in three out of the last four playoffs for leading Miami to deep playoff runs even when nobody expected it.
The Heat have kept their head above water without their best star, going 7-5 without Butler this season, hoping to extend it if he misses the game against the Thunder on Tuesday.
Jimmy Butler Explains His Injury In Detail
Butler spoke publicly for the first time since his injury nearly two weeks ago. He explained his injury in detail, even discussing a possible return in a few days, provided the injury continues healing.
“I just stepped wrong. It’s like the mid-foot area. I [initially] thought it was way worse than it really was. I was scared for a much larger reason because of a bruise or the bone. So glad it wasn’t (that)… (The pain) was bad. It’s not nearly as bad now. I can put my shoe on and tie it without too much pain. I’m smiling because I’ll be back soon… It’s getting better. I’m moving a little bit better. Still have a couple more days obviously so we can get tolerable pain in it and I’ll be ready to go.”
The Heat are 21-15 and sit as the fifth seed in the East. The return of Tyler Herro from a month-long absence before Butler’s injury has helped them stay afloat, with Herro averaging 22.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.4 assists in one of the best seasons of his career. Bam Adebayo is still a dependable rock in defense, setting the tone for the defensive intensity that Miami plays with.
The emergence of rookie sensation Jaime Jaquez Jr. has been one of the biggest feathers in Miami’s cap. He’s averaging 13.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.7 assists as a rookie and is already one of their key rotational players. Finally, Butler’s absence has allowed last year’s first-round pick Nikola Jovic to get more minutes, as he’s averaged 6.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.0 assists over the last five games and emerged as a versatile frontcourt player who can help the team.
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